2026 Graduating Class: Erie Otters

After a challenging season that saw them miss the playoffs, the Erie Otters find themselves at an important crossroads as the organization looks toward the future. Armed with the second overall selection in the upcoming OHL Priority Selection, Erie has an opportunity to add another cornerstone piece to a franchise that has long been recognized for developing elite talent.

As the club begins its next chapter, Erie will first bid farewell to members of its graduating class, with Andrew Kuzma, Noah Erliden, and Jackson Schouten moving on from the OHL.

 

Andrew Kuzma (Erie Otters, Kingston Frontenacs – 2025-26)

Spending his lone OHL season as an overager, Andrew Kuzma began the year with the Kingston Frontenacs before being acquired by the Erie Otters at the trade deadline. Between the two clubs, he recorded 39 points (20-19–39) in 69 regular-season games. 

Originally selected by Kingston in the eighth round (155th overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Kuzma spent much of his junior career in the USHL and was preparing to join Penn State for the 2024-25 season. However, during routine preseason testing, doctors discovered he had bicuspid aortic valve disease, a congenital heart condition that affects blood flow from the heart to the body. After undergoing open-heart surgery in November 2024, Kuzma returned to the ice this past September and completed his overage season in the OHL. He is committed to returning to the NCAA next season.

Kuzma was in a groove 🦦

Andrew Kuzma recorded his first multi-goal game with the @ErieOtters last night, leading them to a big win. pic.twitter.com/KhQWAJNtFr

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 12, 2026

 

Noah Erliden (Erie Otters – 2024-26)

In his second full season with the Otters, Noah Erliden continued to serve as Erie’s starting goaltender during his overage campaign, posting a 12-28-2-4 record along with a 3.75 goals-against average and .891 save percentage. He also earned the Real Canadian Superstore Save of the Night honours on multiple occasions throughout the season.

Originally selected 30th overall by Erie in the 2024 CHL Import Draft, the Swedish netminder concludes his OHL career with a 40-46-6-6 record, a 3.57 goals-against average, a .893 save percentage, and two shutouts across 101 regular-season appearances.

"That was robbery!"

Noah Erliden made a ridiculous stop with his toe for the @ErieOtters and earns the @RealCdnSS Save of the Night. pic.twitter.com/CcSxUwpBgN

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 8, 2026

 

Jackson Schouten (Erie Otters – 2025-26)

Also spending his only OHL season as an overager, Jackson Schouten recorded six points (3-3–6) in 25 regular-season games with the Otters.

Prior to arriving in Erie, the 6-foot-7 forward played in the NAHL with the Rochester Jr. Americans. He joined the Otters as a free agent in January.

JACKSON SCHOUTEN SCORES HIS FIRST‼️

In his fifth #OHL game, the overage forward is on the board with his first career goal for the @ErieOtters! pic.twitter.com/9WB1dQpD2H

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 24, 2026

 

2006-born players:

* denotes players who are committed to the NCAA for next season

Looking ahead, the Erie Otters currently have four 2006-born players on their roster: Tristen Trevino, Charlie Burns, Callum Hughes*, and Ritter Coombs*.